DEAR Jasminda, MY new girlfriend sleeps with her dog (Brutus) in the bed. I really like her, but I find this behaviour bizarre and, frankly, a relationship breaker. How do I navigate this? Gerard P. Dear Gerard, The early phase of a relationship is often marked by constant affection, but this should not include waking […]
Don Delport and Michael Powter.
A PAIR of Port Macquarie locals have shared their experience of attempting to get home during last week’s weather event, after visiting family in Narrabri. Don Delport and Michael Powter take up the story from here. Our flood experience We came down Oxley Highway through the “Walcha Road” and missed getting through on the highway […]
DEAR News Of The Area, I HOPE that the total inability of the coalition to provide a coherent economic narrative during the election campaign finally dispels the complete myth that they are always better at managing the Australian economy than Labor. Despite constant repetition of the rhetoric, this claim lacks any substance. Surely being able […]
DEAR News Of The Area, RAIN, rain, go away, come back another day! While I never suggest that all weather is linked to global warming, weather events that set new records are made worse by human-induced climate change. The science can explain why, but the National Party, Sky News and News Corp papers never will, […]
DEAR Jasminda, THE other night, my brother-in-law invited himself over for dinner. However, I had not prepared enough for him (as he was unannounced), and he got annoyed and left. Now he won’t reply to either my husband’s or my messages. How do you suggest I go about this? Normine B Dear Normine, I’m picking […]
THERE is only one notable release in Australian cinemas this week, though it’s likely to be on a fair few “Top 10” lists come the end of 2025. Lilo & Stitch gets the live-action adaptation treatment from Disney. It follows the adventures of the alien “Experiment 626” after he crashes in Hawaii and is adopted […]
DEAR News Of The Area, LOOKING back at the results of the election in the seat of Cowper, there were 10,727 people or 9.31 percent whose vote meant nothing as they voted informally. Those votes could well have changed the outcome of the result in our electorate if those voters had taken a little bit […]
DEAR News Of The Area, OF concern in the recent federal election was a “swing” towards informal voting, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) reporting a national average of 5.55 percent ballot papers that could not be counted. Within the electorates of Cowper and Page, the AEC’s corresponding local figures were 9.03 percent and 9.15 […]
DEAR Jasminda, WE are organising a large birthday function and there are relatives that don’t get along with each other. How do we ensure no one feels left out while still making it an enjoyable experience for everyone? Harriet P. Dear Harriet, If your large family events traditionally look like an episode of Dr Phil, […]
